Who to start · 2025-26
Collin Graf vs Vladimir Tarasenko
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Vladimir Tarasenko projects to 1.52 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Collin Graf's 1.35.
Graf had 46 points in 81 games; Tarasenko had 47 in 75 games.
This week Graf has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Tarasenko has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Graf for 1.4 ESPN points to Tarasenko's 1.2.
Collin Graf has the better number in 17 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Graf's biggest edges: Plus/minus +6, Top skating speed 22.9, 20+ mph bursts 123.
Tarasenko's biggest edges: Offensive-zone time 41.8%, Power-play points 13, Power-play time per game 2:13.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Collin Graf
1.40
fantasy points per game
Vladimir Tarasenko
1.52
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Vladimir Tarasenko has the edge.
| Points per game from | Graf | Tarasenko |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.52 | 0.61 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.31 | 0.32 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.09 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.02 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.11 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.30 | 0.22 |
Per-game rates from the selected sample; blended mixes last season with this season, weighting this season more as games are played. Categories are scored as z-scores against qualified players at the same position. Your custom weights are saved in this browser only.
Head-to-head: Graf vs Tarasenko
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2024-25 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Graf 1G 0A, 3 SOG · Tarasenko 3G 0A, 5 SOG
On the ice against each other (Graf's side)
11:27 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Graf's side
- Shot attempts
- 9–4
- 69.2%
- Expected goals
- 0.3–0.0
- 94.9%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Graf | Tarasenko |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-31 | SJS 4–3 MIN | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2025-11-11 | SJS 2–1 MIN | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-10-26 | SJS 6–5 MIN | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-01-14 | SJS 6–3 DET | 0G 0A 1S | 2G 0A 4S |
Every stat, side by side
Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.
Fantasy box score
Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)
Transition, turnovers & faceoffs
Usage
Special teams & discipline
This week's schedule
Sep 28 to Oct 4. More games usually wins a weekly start/sit. Chips show how many fantasy points the opponent allows to the player's position (soft or tough), the Schedule Edge from rest and travel, and the likely opposing goalie with his save percentage. Projections use ESPN default points for the games left.
Collin Graf
2games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs FLAOpp allows 10th-fewest FP to RWLikely vs Akira Schmid (.892)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK1.4 ptsOpp allows 6th-most FP to RWLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
Vladimir Tarasenko
2games (1 left)
1.2proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NSHOpp allows 11th-fewest FP to RWLikely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs BOS1.2 ptsOpp allows 3rd-fewest FP to RWSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Jeremy Swayman (.908)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Collin Graf or Vladimir Tarasenko in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Vladimir Tarasenko projects to 1.52 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Collin Graf's 1.35. Graf had 46 points in 81 games; Tarasenko had 47 in 75 games. Check this week's games and your league's scoring in the fantasy panel above, since more games usually decide a weekly start.
- Who is better, Collin Graf or Vladimir Tarasenko?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Collin Graf leads in 17 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Graf and Tarasenko done against each other?
- In 4 games against each other in our data, Graf's team went 4–0. Graf had 1 points (1 goals) and Tarasenko had 3 (3 goals).
2025-26 regular season from NHL play-by-play, shift charts and NHL EDGE, processed by Edgehalla. Head-to-head covers every loaded season (play-by-play from 2019-20; on-ice matchups from 2025-26).Compare other players →